Fluminense knew first how to triumph and then ‘hold on’, beating Boca Juniors (2-1) in extra time, in the final of the Copa Libertadores football, and lifting the trophy for the first time, with Brazil coach Fernando Diniz at the helm.
At the Maracanã, Argentine Germán Cano, the competition’s top scorer, scored in the 36th minute, but former Vitória de Setúbal Luís Advíncula equalized in the 72nd, forcing extra time, in which a goal from John Kennedy (99) shortly afterwards field was sent. , he gave the victory to the ‘tricolor’ team.
In addition to Kennedy, who was sent off for collecting yellow cards at 102, the second for the celebrations, Fabra was also sent off for attacking an opponent at 105+7.
If ‘Flu’ reached their first title in the second final they played, after the defeat in 2008, Boca continues to add six titles, losing the 13th final they have reached, having won for the last time in 2007 – they were defeated, then , in the decisive matches of 2012 and 2018.
In a match without great scoring opportunities and decided in moments of inspiration from some ‘stars’, Germán Cano was the first to appear, with the 13th personal goal of the Argentinian in this edition of the Libertadores.
Keno, one of the veterans of the Brazilian team, together with captain Felipe Melo and Marcelo, broke through to the right and crossed for the striker’s shot.
The ‘xeneize’ team really started to have a greater attacking focus in the second half, with Advíncula coming close to scoring in the 56th minute, when the team was already on top.
It was the right back who really made the difference, with a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area that leveled the match, now more balanced and in a more calculated tone, giving ‘Flu’ more possession. in the style of ‘dinizista’, and Boca expectantly.
The Uruguayan Merential came close at 89 with a long shot, with the ‘star’ Cavani on the bench, after which Diogo Barbosa, who joined the Brazilians to replace Marcelo, had the victory at his feet at 90+4, but he wasted it with a ‘failure’ that was difficult to explain, opening the door for extra time.
In extra time the legs gave way as play gave way to ‘repels’, and it was in one of these moves, again from Keno, that John Kennedy finally scored the goal, with a great shot that didn’t go away. The falling ball didn’t even give Romero a chance.
Shortly after that goal, at the age of 99, he was sent off, with a second yellow card that was barely understandable and attributed to the decision to sit in the stands to celebrate with the fans in an apotheotic Maracanã that he was so close to the club. first title.
At 111, Fábio saved a ‘shot’ from distance from Taborda, but the game continued without big clear chances and structured actions, especially from a ‘removed’ and uncreative Boca, even though Guga managed to make it 3-1 at 115. send the ball to the post.
Ultimately, and apart from an aggression from Fabra that sent him packing, in a typically ‘hot’ game there was no drama at the final whistle that would force a new decision via penalties, the method the Argentinians resorted to. throughout the entire phase to eliminate, including in the semi-finals, beating Abel Ferreira’s Palmeiras.
For Diniz, who ‘holds’ his place until Carlo Ancelotti arrives in the Brazilian team so he can leave Real Madrid, it is the first major title of his career, marked by praise for good football (which led to ‘Dinizismo’). but for the lack of a prominent trophy.
Now in addition to titles such as Paulista, Carioca and the Taça Guanabara de Libertadores, the first for the ‘Tricolor das Laranjeiras’ and the fifth in a row for Brazil, which is four titles away from Argentina’s 25.
The result also ‘avenges’ the dedication of veterans and young people to the club, with the tears of Felipe Melo and Marcelo visible, this five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid and as emotional as if it were his first continental final.
However, Boca Juniors were on the verge of making history as by winning the trophy they equaled Independiente, also from Argentina, with seven titles, the most ever in the competition.
The third defeat in the last three finals played means another year of waiting, in the long period that began since the last title in 2007, for this opportunity, with ‘Griep’ advancing to the next two editions of the Club World Cup and the Recopa South American.
Source: DN
